ONLINE COMMUNITIES

What they are

These online forums act as virtual meeting places where people who want to quit using pornography can share advice, experiences and encouragement with others. Forums are organized around general porn-quitting topics, and discussion threads cover every conceivable facet of the process, emotions, challenges, and triumphs of overcoming a pornography problem. Users participate in a forum by posting messages to each other on a discussion thread, which may also lead to communication outside of the forum and/or offline.

Ease of getting started

As easy as signing up for a forum and starting or joining a discussion thread.

Human contact

Minimal in-person contact unless arranged through a forum and conducted offline. Plenty of electronic contact with other forum users.

Anonymity/confidentiality

Most forums require only an email address to sign up, so anonymity is reasonably high so long as you don't share or post your name or identifying information. Anything posted to a discussion thread can be seen by anyone with an internet connection, so there is no confidentiality in what you choose to share in a discussion. Major forums have discussion threads dating back several years available for viewing.

Cost

None to participate in forums.

Spiritual/religious component

Discussions cover every possible topic related to quitting porn, including religious and spiritual ones. But because participation is self-guided, there is no spiritual or religious requirement for using a forum.

Pro tips

Online communities can be a great way to make contact and receive human support and encouragement. But, be aware that the same behaviors that develop with problem pornography use - isolation with a computer, scrolling through multiple web pages, etc. - can also be part of using online communities. Users may find that online communities are used most productively to supplement offline quitting methods, such as therapy, 12-step groups, or other in-person contact.

Online communities have a particular vocabulary for discussing pornography and masturbation. This glossary, courtesy of NoFap, gives an overview of the most common terms.

Links

Online Porn-Quitting Communities

NoFap - one of the most active online communities, with wide-ranging discussion topics, groups, testimonials, and a blog. Founded by leading commentator and activist Alexander Rhodes, NoFap also offers a porn-quitting system, called NoFap Academy, which is discussed on our All-in-One Systems page.

Reboot Nation - one of the most active online communities, with wide-ranging discussion topics, links to speakers, information, and a YouTube channel. Reboot Nation is the companion forum to the great yourbrainonporn.com, which is discussed on our Education & Research page.